Runcie News

 

All three of our kids were conceived through InVitro Fertilization.  After conceiving the twins, we had four embryos left in storage.  Once we were convinced that our family was complete, we had to make a decision about what to do with the remaining embryos.  Our options were to let them thaw, keep them in storage and continue to pay for them, donate them to science, or donate them to a family.  It was a fairly easy decision for us to come to, and we were in complete agreement to donate them to a family.  It was truly the only option that gave our embryos a chance at life.

Our fertility clinic gave us the information for Nightlight, an organization who facilitates embryo adoptions.  We found out right away that Nightlight encourages open adoptions.  This was initially unsettling, and it took us a while to get used to the idea.  After reading other families' stories, however, we grew excited about the prospect of adding to our family and fostering a relationship with our biological children and their parents.  

In order to match with a couple, we had to create a profile and answer a large number of questions about things that were important to us, and about our family history.  This step took a lot of time.  When we were finally done, we were placed in the matching phase.  At this point, the organization worked to match us with the most compatible adopting couple.  We could approve or decline the match, and then our profile  would be passed on to the couple.  

The couple we matched with and mutually chose did not have any kids, which is something we hoped for.  We wanted to give the gift of parenthood.  The couple was given all four of our embryos.  After a failed In Vitro cycle with the first embryo, they did In Vitro again with a second embryo, and it took!  We found out this spring that she was expecting a girl.  

On October 3rd, she delivered a beautiful baby, named Makenzie.  We can see resemblances to our three, and I'm sure that will only increase as she gets older.  We were relieved to tell Monroe the secret we'd been keeping.  She loves telling people she has a sister, even if she has to explain the specifics of what that means.  The boys don't understand, but they will eventually.  We look forward to watching Makenzie grow up and getting to know her parents better.  We also look forward to meeting her someday in the future. 

Embryo adoption was a wonderful decision for our family, and we are so glad we chose it! This has already been a life-changing experience.